Heroes of the Storm Bringing Back Popular Game Mode

Summary

Heroes Brawl returns as Brawl Mode, bringing back discontinued maps and unique challenges. Brawl Mode rotates bi-weekly, rewarding players with a special chest. Snow Brawl is currently available on the PTR.

Heroes of the Storm is reviving its popular Heroes Brawl game mode, rebranded as Brawl Mode. This exciting update, available now on the Public Test Realm (PTR), unlocks dozens of previously unavailable maps for the first time in nearly five years. The official launch is expected within a month.

Originally introduced in 2016 (as Arena Mode), Heroes Brawl offered weekly rotating challenges with unique map layouts, objectives, and rules. Examples included all-Nova sniper duels and Arena versions of existing battlefields. However, due to the popularity of single-lane maps and maintenance difficulties, it was replaced by ARAM in 2020.

Now, Brawl Mode makes a triumphant return. The bi-weekly rotation (1st and 15th of each month) offers a special chest for completing three matches during its active period. The exact reward structure (single reward per Brawl or weekly) remains to be seen. With over two dozen past Brawls, players can anticipate many favorites returning, and possibly some exciting new ones.

The inaugural Brawl Mode, the festive Snow Brawl, is currently playable on the PTR. The in-game interface suggests a three-week PTR duration, hinting at a February launch for Brawl Mode.

The return of Heroes Brawl is particularly fitting, coinciding with Heroes of the Storm's 10th anniversary on June 2nd, 2025. This significant update is a welcome surprise for fans and fuels speculation about a potential full revival of the game.

Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)

Our latest Heroes of the Storm patch is live on the Public Test Realm! Please report any bugs encountered on the PTR Bug Report forum.

General

• Updated Homescreen and Startup Music.
• NEW: Brawl Mode added! Brawls rotate on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Balance Update

Heroes

• Auriel:

  • Talents:
    • Level 1: Searing Light now only damages enemy Heroes.
    • Level 7: Energized Cord increases Basic Attack range by 1.1.
    • Level 16: Reservoir of Hope quest bonus reduced from 75 to 55; Wrath of Heaven armor reduction increased from 10 to 20, Spell Power increased from 10% to 15%.

• Chromie:

  • Talents:
    • Level 1: Timewalker's Pursuit Spell Power increased from 10% to 15%.
    • Level 7: Mobius Loop slow reduced from 60% to 40%.
    • Level 20: Unravelling no longer consumes Energy and increases Slowing Sands cast range by 50%.

• Johanna:

  • Base: Shield Glare mana cost increased from 45 to 55.
  • Talents:
    • Level 1: Divine Fortress health bonus increased from 20% to 25%; Zealous Glare damage bonus reduced from 75% to 70%.
    • Level 7: Steed Charge duration increased from 3 to 4 seconds.
    • Level 13: Blessed Hammer damage reduced from 74 to 65.
    • Level 16: Holy Renewal cooldown reduction reduced from 1.5 to 1 second; Shrinking Vacuum damage reduction increased from 25% to 30%, duration increased from 2 to 3 seconds, slow increased from 25% to 30%.

• Tracer:

  • Talents:
    • Level 4: Is That a Health Pack?! healing increased from 10% to 15% of maximum Health; Pulse Generator healing reduced from 18% to 12%.
    • Level 13: Jumper cooldown refresh reduced from 150% to 100%, shield reduced from 6.5% to 6%.

• Zul'jin:

  • Base: You Want Axe? Basic Attack damage increased from 94 to 118, quest completion bonus reduced from 1 to 0.25.
  • Talents:
    • Level 1: Recklessness Basic Attack damage bonus reduced from 15% to 10%.
    • Level 10: Guillotine cooldown reduced from 40 to 30 seconds, mana cost reduced from 70 to 60; Taz'dingo! cooldown increased from 90 to 100 seconds, mana cost increased from 75 to 80.
    • Level 16: Let the Killing Begin kill window reduced from 1.5 to 0.5 seconds.
    • Level 20: Buzzsaw kill window reduced from 1.5 to 0.5 seconds.

Bug Fixes

General

• Experience Globes can now path through gates.
• Fixed issues related to root visual effects.
• Updated decaying and ramping Slows to scale their speed with CC reduction effects.

Heroes

• Alexstrasza: Flame Buffet slow no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Azmodan: Chain of Command now applies to Demonic Invasion's on-death explosion.
• Brightwing: Fixed Phase Shift Store Icon.
• Chen: Storm, Earth, Fire spirits now contest Capture Points.
• Cho'Gall: Fixed Cho'Gall contesting points while Cho is in Stasis.
• Dehaka: Fixed Brushstalker Store Icon and minimum cast range.
• E.T.C.: Pinball Wizard bonus damage is now additive; Face Smelt slow no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Falstad: Fixed Flight Store Icon; Mighty Gust slow no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Fenix: Arsenal Synergy now grants cooldown reduction for Phase Bomb's primary target; Inhibiting Energy no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Johanna: Punish no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Kharazim: Fixed Spirit Ally heal FX visibility in Fog of War.
• Lúcio: Fixed Wall Ride Store Icon.
• Lunara: Crippling Spores slow no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Maiev: Armored Assault now grants the full bonus to Umbral Bind's Cleave.
• Mei: Icing slow no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration; Ice Wall now applies Stopped to D.Va's Self Destruct.
• Muradin: Thunder Burn tooltip updated; Thunder Strike damage increase is now additive.
• Probius: Fixed Worker Rush Store Icon.
• Rehgar: Purge no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Samuro: Fixed Critical Strike FX persistence; Kawarimi now creates Mirror Images with correct starting Health.
• Sgt. Hammer: Fixed Thrusters Store Icon.
• Stukov: Weighted Pustule's increasing slow no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• Sylvanas: Unfurling Shadows now grants quest progress for Shadow Dagger spread impact damage.
• The Butcher: Hamstring no longer instantly removed on targets with reduced slow duration.
• The Lost Vikings: Fixed Go Go Go! Store Icon.
• Zagara: Fixed Pack Instinct bonus for Devouring Maw.